the President of Ukraine Vladimir Zelensky and President of the Swiss Confederation Simonetta Sommaruga during a visit to the Donbass visited the municipal enterprise "Company "Water of Donbass". During the visit, the presidents heard the report of the Chairman of Donetsk regional state administration Pavel Kirilenko on the problematic issues of the company.
Vladimir Zelensky said that this utility provides drinking water to nearly four million residents of Donetsk oblast, among other things, Ukrainians residing in the temporarily occupied territories. 2014 objects KP was repeatedly subjected to attacks from illegal armed groups, which periodically stopped the water flow. Deteriorated technical condition of the infrastructure has increased the shortage of chemicals for water purification and technological equipment.
"In the circumstances, it is extremely important for us was the humanitarian aid from Switzerland. Tens of thousands of tons of chemicals for cleaning and disinfection installations for drinking water and many more helped to prevent a humanitarian catastrophe in the Donetsk region", - said the Head Ukrainian state.
He welcomed the new Swiss program of cooperation with Ukraine for the next three years, according to which the needs of "Water of Donbass" in 2020, allocated 1.4 million Swiss francs.
"Today, Madame President, meet humanitarian aid of the Swiss Confederation is another 17 trucks. 15 of them brought chemicals and reagents. One machine will deliver personal protective equipment to the Central hospital of Slavyansk. And the other one for hydrolysis the apparatus for water treatment in Volnovakha and Mariupol. Today I sincerely thank our Swiss friends for the important and valuable assistance," - said the President.
Chairman of the Donetsk regional state administration Pavlo Kyrylenko noted that "Water of Donbass" - the largest enterprise in the Donetsk region, it employs more than 11,000 people.
"We are starting deliveries to the territory controlled by Ukraine, then water moves in the uncontrolled area, then again goes to the South, in Mariupol", - said the Chairman of Donetsk regional state administration.
He added that with international assistance it is planned to upgrade the channel Seversky Donets - Donbass. Also provides for improvement of water supply to reduce dependence on territory where fighting continues, and the introduction of energy efficient technologies. In the framework of the energy efficiency plan to replace old pipes with new plastic. It is also expected to install the new pumps will help reduce energy by 1.5 times.
Ms. Sommaruga said that the supply of drinking water is very important for overcoming humanitarian challenges. This was clearly demonstrated by coronaries, because water means health. She stressed that Switzerland provides humanitarian assistance to population of Ukraine on the demarcation line, starting in 2015.
"Mr. President, I would like to sincerely thank you and your government for the fact that you continue to allow the Swiss humanitarian aid to arrive in areas that are today beyond the control of the Ukrainian government. It shows your dedication to humanitarian principles and understanding of the needs of people in the region", - said the President of the Swiss Confederation.
According to her, since this winter was warm, for the preparation of drinking water had to spend more of chemicals and their inventories over.
"Therefore I am very glad that we were able to transfer 300 tons of aid for water purification and special devices that will help people to get clean water. Mr. President, be assured that this is not the last humanitarian assistance from Switzerland in September we are planning the next big party. The Swiss people and the government will not leave Ukraine", - said Ms. Sommaruga, addressing to Vladimir Zelensky.
Switzerland is actually the only state that ensures the provision of humanitarian assistance on both sides of the demarcation line in Eastern Ukraine. Major humanitarian projects is the purification of drinking water in the Donbass, delivery of medicines and medical equipment. KP "Company "Water of Donbass" in 2015 receives humanitarian aid from the Swiss government for providing quality drinking water for the population of Donetsk region.
